Input device

ABSTRACT

An input device is disclosed. An input device comprises a display unit, an input unit, a load detection unit and a control unit. The display unit is configured to display an object of a folder with a hierarchical structure. The load detection unit is configured to detect a pressing load with respect to the input unit corresponding to the location of the object of the folder that is displayed on the display unit. The control unit opens and closes folders based on a change in the pressing load.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/146,814, filed Jul. 28, 2011, which is a National StageEntry of PCT/JP2010/000459, filed on Jan. 27, 2010, claims the priorityrights of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-017322, filed on Jan. 28,2009, and incorporates herein the entire disclosure of the applicationsfor references.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to input devices and particularly relatesto an input device comprising a touch panel.

BACKGROUND ART

For mobile terminals such as mobile phones, for example, various inputdevices that a user uses to operate a terminal have been developedaccording to the function or usage of each terminal. In many cases, auser conducts by directly pressing mechanical keys, buttons, or the likein many cases, which are disposed on the surface of the body of a mobileterminal, with a finger and the like.

Normally, mechanical keys (e.g. numerical keys and the like) of an inputdevice in such a terminal are preliminarily arranged in accordance withthe primary usage of the terminal. Therefore, in general, the physicalkey arrangement provided initially cannot be changed afterwards.

Incidentally, nowadays, as there are mobile phones installed withdigital cameras or music playing functions, various kinds of functionsare incorporated in small mobile terminals. There are those, such asmobile phones, installed with many auxiliary functions besides theirprimary terminal usage or those equipped with a plurality of primaryusages in one terminal, such as schedule management or address books asin PDA (personal digital assistant) and the like. In such a terminal, ifthe key arrangement is fixed, sometimes a user is significantlyinconvenienced during operation input depending on the function beingused.

In order to eliminate such inconveniences in operation inputs, inputdevices have been disclosed comprising a touch panel which is configuredby arranging a clear input unit on the front surface of a liquid crystaldisplay screen consisting of a display unit (e.g. refer to PatentDocument 1). Generally, an input device having such a touch paneldisplays an image of operation keys, buttons and the like, andcharacters and a string of characters prompting an input (from hereonreferred as “object”) on the display screen on the touch panel. If auser presses an object displayed on the display screen, an input unitcorresponding to the location in the touch panel receives the input.

A folding type mobile phone described in Patent Document 1 displaysobjects in an arbitrary arrangement on the display screen, is capable ofreceiving operation inputs from a user, and is capable of configuring afree arrangement of keys and the like. As a result, the mobile phone iscapable of providing very favorable operability by arbitrarily changingthe arrangement of objects according to the function, every time wheneach function of the terminal is switched. When the user uses a digitalcamera function equipped in the mobile phone, for example, the mobilephone is capable of displaying on the touch panel an object thatconstitutes an operation part for a digital camera, and receivingoperation inputs. In contrast, when a user inputs characters for e-mailsand the like using the mobile phone, the mobile phone is capable ofreceiving inputs by displaying an object that constitutes a keyboardsuch as one used in a personal computer on a touch panel. In thismanner, this mobile phone is capable of receiving operation inputs byrespectively optimizing one input device for a plurality of functions asa result of comprising a touch panel.

Furthermore, since an input device having a touch panel receives inputsaccording to an input method in which a user directly contacts (touches)objects that are displayed on a display unit with a fingertip or thelike, the user can conduct very intuitive operations. That is, the userconducts operations by directly touching the objects that are beingdisplayed on a screen with a fingertip or the like, following guidancethat is displayed on the screen of a touch panel. Therefore, the usercan operate a terminal very easily by intuitive operations in accordancewith the guidance displayed on the screen, resulting in an expectedreduction in error operations.

In this manner, because of the advantages of a touch panel that canenhance the degree of freedom in configuring an input unit and thatallows a user to conduct operation inputs very intuitively, there is anincreasing tendency towards terminal devices with an input devicecomprising a touch panel.

Besides mobile terminals, such an input device having a touch panel likethe one described above is provided for an ATM (Automated TellerMachine) at a bank and the like, and a ticketing machine at a stationand the like, and is commonly used nowadays. Furthermore, when anemployee processes an order from a customer in shops such as fast foodrestaurants and the like, the work is conducted using a terminal devicecomprising an input device with a touch panel such as one describedabove. By using a touch panel for an input device, mechanical operationbuttons, keys or the like, such as a keyboard, besides a touch panelbecomes inessential. Therefore, less space for arranging mechanicaloperation buttons or the like on the main body of a terminal device isrequired, and thus, overall down-sizing of the terminal device itselfcan be achieved. This, in turn, makes it possible to enhance the degreeof freedom for the mounting location of a terminal device in variousshops, inside train stations, and the like.

Furthermore, the operation inputs of a personal computer (PC) may alsobe conducted from a display that comprises a touch panel. In general,operation inputs with respect to a PC vary depending on the applicationprogram to be used (from hereon, simply referred as “application”).However, as a result of development of a GUI (Graphical User Interface),many applications have been designed to conduct intuitive operations.Moreover, even if applications to be used are different, many operationsof files or folders conducted on a desktop that is displayed on adisplay are common due to requirements with respect to the intuitiveoperability. Therefore, many known operation inputs of a PC wereconducted mainly by using input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse,but a user may now conduct such operation inputs very intuitively usinga display comprising a touch panel.

FIG. 15 is an illustration schematically illustrating a configuration ofa data transfer system that includes an information processor describedin above Patent Document 2. In FIG. 15, a data transfer system 100comprises a data storage playback device 110 and a mobile type datastorage playback device (mobile type storage playback device) 120. Thedata storage playback device 110 has storage and playback functions ofdata (for example, music data), and the mobile type storage playbackdevice 120 also has storage and playback functions of music data. Thedata storage playback device 110 and the mobile type storage playbackdevice 120 are communicably connected to each other via a communicationcable 130.

The data storage playback device 110 is capable of storing music dataripped from a CD or music data downloaded from a music distributionserver (not shown in Figures) via a network NT. A user can transfer themusic data stored in the data storage playback device 110 to the mobiletype storage playback device 120 by conducting operations on the displayunit comprising a touch panel 140. As a result, the data storageplayback device 120 is capable of reproducing music data by storing thetransferred music data even after the connection to the communicationcable 130 is cut off.

FIG. 16 is an illustration schematically illustrating a user conductingoperations of a folder on the display unit comprising a touch panel 140in the data storage playback device 110. As shown in FIG. 16(A), an iconA 100 and an icon A 200 for starting up an application are displayed onthe display unit with a touch panel 140. When the user directly contacts(touches) these icons with a fingertip or the like, the correspondingapplication starts. It is presumed to be set in such a way that thestart up operation may be conducted by an operation of quickly touchingtwice (double touching) an icon on the display unit with a touch panel140, which is equivalent to a double-click conducted by an input devicesuch as a mouse. Otherwise, it is also possible to presume to be set insuch a way that the operation may be conducted by touching once (singletouch) an icon on the display unit with a touch panel 140, which isequivalent to a single-click conducted by an input device such as amouse.

Furthermore, an icon F100 representing a folder A and an icon F200representing a folder B are displayed on a display unit with a touchpanel 140. Each of these folders A and B may include a plurality offiles and/or more folders according to the hierarchical structure of aconventional directory. Furthermore, in the event of conducting anoperation regarding these folders A and B, the user can conduct anoperation corresponding to a conventional operation method of foldersthat has been carried out with PCs. Therefore, for example, when a userdouble touches (or single-touches) the icon F100 of the folder A asshown in FIG. 16(A), the data storage playback device 110 can displayfiles that are included in the folder A as shown in FIG. 16(B). Ifanother folder is further included in the folder A, by the user'sdouble-touch (or single-touch), the data storage playback device 110 candisplay files and/or more folders that are included in the folder. InFIG. 16(B), a folder window is displayed, and files in the folder A aredisplayed.

RELATED ART Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 2006-311224

Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 2008-250924

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In general, in an input device such as the display unit with a touchpanel 140 of the data storage playback device 110, when an operation ofclosing a folder window that is displaying files and the like includedin a folder takes place, the user has to touch an icon as a closingoperation. In FIG. 16 (B), for example, the user can close a folderwindow (from hereon referred as “closing” a folder) by touching anx-mark that is displayed in the upper right of the folder window.Moreover, when a file and the like included in a folder is displayed, incase of moving to the hierarchy that is immediately above in thehierarchical structure of the directory (from hereon, this operation isalso referred as “closing” a folder), the user has to touch an icon suchas “return” or the like.

The location of an icon to be touched in case of closing a folder isnormally located separately from an icon to display (from hereon,referred as “opening” a folder) files and the like included in thefolder. Therefore, to conduct a touch operation in the event of closinga folder, it is a troublesome that a user sometimes has to touch alocation that is very far from the location where the touch operationwas conducted in the event of opening a folder.

In order to solve the above problem, if an icon to be touched in case ofclosing a folder is displayed near an icon for opening a folder, forexample, there is a risk of inducing an error such that the folder endsup being closed immediately after the user opens the folder.

In case of conducting an operation of a folder using a large size touchpanel, if icons related to operations of opening and closing a folderare not closely displayed, it is believed that the above error may bereduced. However, in the event of conducting such an operation, the userhas to conduct an operation that accompanies a major movement, and itends up as a load or stress to the user. On the other hand, in case ofconducting an operation of a folder using a small size touch panel suchas a mobile terminal, icons related to the operations of opening andclosing a folder have to be displayed relatively close due to theproblem of limited area of the touch panel. Therefore, in this case, therisk of generating the above error increases.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention designed in view ofsuch a situation is to provide an input device capable of simply andpromptly conducting reliable folder operations using a touch panel.

Means for Solving the Problems

According to a first aspect of the invention to achieve the aboveobjective, an input device comprises: a display unit displaying anobject of a folder with a hierarchical structure; an input unitreceiving pressing inputs with respect to the display unit; a loaddetection unit detecting a pressing load with respect to the input unit;and a control unit controlling a folder such that, if the folder is openand is displayed on the display unit and if a pressing load satisfying apredefined load standard with respect to the input unit is detected bythe load detection unit, the folder which has been open is closed.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an input devicecomprises: a display unit displaying an object of a folder with ahierarchical structure; an input unit receiving pressing inputs withrespect to the display unit; a load detection unit detecting a pressingload with respect to the input unit; and a control unit controlling afolder such that, if a pressing load that changes from a state of notsatisfying a predefined load standard to a state of satisfying thepredefined load standard is detected by the load detection unit withrespect to the input unit corresponding to the location of the object ofthe folder that is displayed in the display unit, the folder is opened,and after the folder is opened, if a pressing load that changes from astate of satisfying the predefined load standard to a state ofsatisfying the predefined load standard is detected by the loaddetection unit, the folder which has been open is closed.

According to a third aspect of the invention, an input device comprises:a display unit displaying an object of a folder with a hierarchicalstructure; an input unit receiving pressing inputs with respect to thedisplay unit; a load detection unit detecting a pressing load withrespect to the input unit; and a control unit controlling a folder suchthat, if a pressing load that changes from a state of not satisfying afirst load standard to a state of satisfying the predefined loadstandard is detected by the load detection unit with respect to theinput unit corresponding to the location of the object of the folderthat is displayed on the display unit, the folder is opened, and afterthe folder is opened, if a pressing load that changes from a state ofsatisfying a second load standard which is lower than the first load toa state of satisfying the predefined load standard is detected by theload detection unit, a folder in the lowest hierarchy among folders thatare open is closed.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, an input devicecomprises: a display unit displaying an object of a folder with ahierarchical structure; an input unit receiving pressing inputs withrespect to the display unit; a load detection unit detecting a pressingload with respect to the input unit; and a control unit controlling afolder such that, if a pressing load that changes from a state of notsatisfying a first load standard to a state of satisfying the predefinedload standard is detected by the load detection unit with respect to theinput unit corresponding to the location of the object of the folderthat is displayed on the display unit, the folder is opened, and afterthe folder is opened, if a pressing load that changes from a state ofsatisfying a second load standard which is higher than the first loadstandard to a state of satisfying the predefined load standard isdetected by the load detection unit, a folder in the lowest hierarchyamong folders that are open is closed.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, an input device comprises:a display unit displaying an object of a folder with a hierarchicalstructure; an input unit receiving pressing inputs with respect to thedisplay unit; a load detection unit detecting a pressing load withrespect to the input unit; and a control unit controlling a folder suchthat, if the folder is open and is displayed on the display unit, and ifa pressing load that changes from a state of satisfying a first loadstandard to a state of not satisfying a second load standard which islower than the first load standard is detected by the load detectionunit with respect to the input unit, all folders which are currentlyopen are closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exterior of a mobile phonecomprising an input device according to an embodiment of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configurationof a mobile phone according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary assembling structure of atouch panel, a load detection unit and a vibration part of the mobilephone shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing how opening and closingoperations are conducted with respect to folders according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a graph schematically showing exemplary temporal changes of apressing load detected by a load detection unit when a user presses aninput unit of the touch panel.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an opening/closing process of a folderaccording to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on theprocess according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for showing how opening/closing a folder areprocessed according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on aprocess in which the opening operation of folders according to the thirdembodiment is repeated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on aprocess in which the closing operation of folders according to the thirdembodiment is repeated.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on aprocess in which the opening operation of folders according to thefourth embodiment is repeated.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on aprocess in which the closing operation of folders according to thefourth embodiment is repeated.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a closing process of a folder according tothe fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on theprocess according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a datatransfer system that includes an information processor by conventionaltechnologies.

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing how a user conductsoperations of a folder on the display unit comprising a touch panel inthe data storage playback device by conventional technologies.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention is described withreference to drawings. In each embodiment hereinafter, a mobile phone isdescribed as an example of a mobile terminal with an input device of theinvention. However, the mobile terminal to which the input device of thepresent invention may be applied is not limited to a mobile phone, butis applicable to any arbitrary mobile terminal with a touch panel suchas PDA. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to mobileterminal, but is applicable to any arbitrary input terminal that has atouch panel such as an ATM at a bank, a ticketing machine at a station,or the like as described above.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exterior of a mobile phone 10comprising an input device according to a first embodiment of thepresent embodiment. The mobile phone 10 comprises a display unit 32depicting a variety of information and shapes such as keys or buttonsand displaying the arrangement on a liquid crystal display (LCD) or anorganic EL display at the front surface of the terminal main body asshown by cutting out a potion. Furthermore, in the mobile phone 10, aninput unit 34, which includes matrix switches and the like where inputswith a user's finger, a stylus pen and the like are received, isarranged on a front face of the display unit 32. In the presentembodiment, the display unit 32 and the input unit 34 inclusivelyconstitute a touch panel 30. The mobile phone 10 further includes avoice-input unit 70 consisting of a microphone and the like, avoice-output unit 80 consisting of a speaker and the like, and akey-input unit 90 consisting of at least one mechanical key.

In addition, the mobile phone 10 may include a digital camera functionpart, a one-segment broadcasting tuner, a short-range radiocommunication part such as an infrared communication function part andthe like, and various interfaces and the like, but the drawings anddetailed descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing an internalconfiguration of the mobile phone 10. The mobile phone 10 includes acontrol unit 20, a touch panel 30, a load detection unit 40, a vibrationpart 50, a storage part 60, a voice-input unit 70, a voice-output unit80, and a key-input unit 90 as shown in FIG. 2. The control unit 20controls and manages the entire mobile phone 10 including each functionblock of the mobile phone 10. The touch panel 30 is configured byarranging, in an overlapping manner on the front face of the displayunit 32, the input unit 34 where inputs from a user are received asdescribed above. With such a configuration, the touch panel 30 receivesoperation inputs from the user and displays a variety of informationsuch as input results and the like according to each application.

The input unit 34 of the touch panel 30 detects (receives) inputs bycontact (pressing) with a fingertip of a user, a stylus or the like, andoutputs a signal corresponding to the location where the input by thecontact was detected. The touch panel 30 is configured, for example, bya publically known method such as resistive film method, capacitancemethod and the like. The display unit 32 displays display correspondingto each application, and renders and displays, on a predefined displayregion, a user interface consisting of various kinds of keys, buttonsand the like for receiving operation inputs from a user with respect tothe input unit 34 as well. Furthermore, the display unit 32 alsodisplays icons of folders or files that are to be described later.Hereinafter, as described, in order to receive operation inputs from auser with respect to the input unit 34 of the touch panel 30, imagessuch as various keys and buttons, icons of folders or files and the liketo be displayed on the display unit 32 are simply described as “object.”

The load detection unit 40 detects a pressing load with respect to thetouch panel 30 (or to the input unit 34) and is configured, for example,with a strain gauge sensor. The vibration part 50 vibrates the touchpanel 30 and is configured, for example, with a piezoelectric element,an ultrasonic transducer or the like. The relation of the load detectionunit 40, vibration part 50, and the touch panel 30 in the configurationis described later.

The storage part 60 stores various applications, and various kinds ofinformation and the like that have been input, and functions as a workmemory and the like. Furthermore, the storage part 60 also stores aplurality of templates including various kinds of objects to be used inaccordance with each application.

The voice-input unit 70 converts the voice of a user to input signalsand sends the input signals to the control unit 20. The voice-outputunit 80 converts the voice signals received from the control unit 20 tovoice and outputs the voice. The key-input unit 90 sends a correspondingsignal to the control unit 20 according to the operation input from theuser. The usage and the function are defined for various keysconstituting the key-input unit 90 in accordance with the application tobe used.

The mobile phone 10 further comprises various functioning parts requiredfor providing functions as a normal mobile phone such as an antenna, aradio communication part and the like for transmitting/receiving avariety of information such as voice communications and e-mail datato/from a base station via internet, wireless communications or thelike. However, there is nothing different from publicly knowntechnologies with regard to these; hence, the description is omitted.

Next, the relation of the above-mentioned load detection unit 40 andvibration part 50, and touch panel 30 is described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary assembling structure oftouch panel 30, a load detection unit 40 and a vibration part 50 of themobile phone 10 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view ofthe main part and FIG. 3(B) is a plan view of the main part.

The display unit 32 displaying various kinds of objects on the touchpanel 30 is housed and held within a housing 12. An input deviceaccording to the present embodiment holds an input unit 34 on thedisplay unit 32 via an insulator 36 that is composed of a resilientmember. In the input device according to the present embodiment, thedisplay unit 32 and the input unit 34 have a rectangular-shape with aplan view. Although the touch panel 30 is shown as a square in FIG. 3,the touch panel 30 may also be a rectangle according to thespecifications of a mobile terminal in which the touch panel 30 isinstalled. Furthermore, the input device holds the input unit 34 on thedisplay unit 32 via the insulator 36 that is arranged at four cornersshown by dotted lines away from the display region A of the display unit32 as shown in FIG. 3(B).

An upper cover 14 is provided for the input device in the housing 12 tocover the surface region of the input unit 34 that is outside thedisplay region of the display unit 32, and the insulator 16 composed ofa resilient member is arranged between the upper cover 14 and the inputunit 34.

The surface of the input unit 34, that is, the face where operationinputs are received, for example, is composed of a clear film, and theback face is composed of glass. The input unit 34 has a structureallowing the clear film on the surface slightly warp (strain) inresponse to the pressed force when the operating surface is pressed.

In the input device according to the present embodiment, strain gaugesensors for detecting a pressing load (pressing force) applied to theinput unit 34 is respectively provided by bonding or the like, in thevicinity of each side that is covered by the upper cover 14, on theclear film of the surface of the input unit 34. Furthermore, in theinput device, piezoelectric elements, ultrasonic transducers or the likefor vibrating the input unit 34 are respectively provided by bonding orthe like, at the vicinity of two facing sides on the glass surface ofthe back face of the input unit 34. That is, the input device shown inFIG. 3 includes the load detection unit 40 shown in FIG. 2 constitutedby four strain gauge sensors, and the vibration part 50 constituted bytwo transducers. The vibration part 50 can generate vibrations anddeliver the vibration to the fingertip of the user that is pressing theinput unit 34, or a pressing object such as a stylus pen and the like.Furthermore, the vibration part 50 drives, for example, two supersonictransducers in the same phase. The illustration of the housing 12, uppercover 14 and insulator 16 shown in FIG. 3A are omitted in FIG. 3B.

In the input device according to the present embodiment, the controlunit 20 monitors inputs detected at the input unit 34 and also monitorspressing loads detected at the load detection unit 40. The control unit20 is capable of determining whether or not the pressing load detectedat the load detection unit 40 satisfies a predefined load standard(standard value). The load detection unit 40 detects, for example, aload from the average value of the outputs from the four strain gaugesensors.

Herein, the “predefined load standard” is the standard of a pressingload detected at the load detection unit 40 set as a standard forconducting opening/closing operations of a folder to be described later.The predefined load standard may be set from the initial settings of themobile phone 10 or from changes to the settings made by the user.Furthermore, the load detection unit 40 is capable of detecting apressing load, which changes from a state of not satisfying a predefinedload standard to a state of satisfying the predefined load standard,with respect to the input unit 34 by monitoring temporal changes in thepressing load. Likewise, the load detection unit 40 is also capable ofdetecting a pressing load, which changes from a state of satisfying apredefined load standard to a state of satisfying the predefined loadstandard, with respect to the input unit 34 by monitoring temporalchanges in the pressing load.

The value of a load standard is regarded as the “threshold value of apressing load” and an aspect of determining that “the load standard issatisfied” in case of reaching the value of the load standard has beendescribed thus far. Hereinafter, although a determining case accordingto such an aspect is described, the aspect determined as “the loadstandard is satisfied” is not limited to this, but presumably manyaspects are presumed to be included. When a pressing load by a pressinginput from a user with respect to an object happens to exceed the abovevalue of the load standard, for example, it is possible to determinethat “the load standard is satisfied.” Furthermore, when the loaddetection unit 40 detects a pressing load indicating the above value ofthe load standard, it is also possible to determine that “the loadstandard is satisfied.”

The same is true in an aspect where it is possible to determine that“the load standard is not satisfied.” That is, in the followingdescription, a case determining that “the load standard is notsatisfied” is described if the value falls below the load standard.However, when the pressing load by a pressing input by the user withrespect to an object happens to be below the above value of the loadstandard, it is also possible to determine that “the load standard isnot satisfied.” Moreover, if a pressing load indicating the above valueof the load standard is no longer detected by the load detection unit40, it is also possible to determine that “the load standard is notsatisfied.”

Next, opening and closing operations of folders according to the presentembodiment are described. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing howopening and closing operations are conducted with respect to folders byan input device according to the present embodiment. In the presentembodiment, folders based on the concept of a hierarchical structure ofdirectories that is widely used in basic software of conventionaloperation system (OS) and the like are used. Therefore, in the presentembodiment, each folder can include a plurality of files and/or morefolders therein.

In the input device according to the present embodiment, displaying thecontent (object) of files and/or other folders included in one folder toinform the content of the folder to the user is stated as “opening” thefolder. For example, if Folder A shown in FIG. 4(A) includes Folder B,Folder C, File a and File b, the content included in the Folder A isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 4(B) when the Folder A is opened. Moreover,for example, if the Folder B shown in FIG. 4(B) includes Folder D andFile c, the content included in the Folder B is displayed as shown inFIG. 4(C) when the Folder B is opened.

In the input device according to the present embodiment, when one folderis opened and the content of the folder is displayed, returning to astate in which the content is not displayed is stated as “closing” thefolder. In FIG. 4(C), for example, content included in the folder B(folder D as well as file c) are displayed, but a content shown in FIG.4(B) is displayed when the Folder B is closed. Moreover, in FIG. 4(B),the content included in the folder A (folder B, folder C, file a, andfile b) are being displayed, but closing the folder A brings a displaysuch as the one shown in FIG. 4(A).

Next, detection of a pressing load with respect to the touch panel 30 ofthe input device according to the present embodiment is described.

The input device according to the present embodiment can cause thedisplay unit 32 of the touch panel 30 to display objects of a folderhaving a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 4. In this event, theinput unit 34 of the touch panel 30 receives a pressing input withrespect to the display unit 32 by a fingertip of the user, a stylus orthe like. In this manner, when the pressing input is applied to theinput unit 34, the load detection unit 40 detects the pressing load withrespect to the input unit 34.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which a pressing load withrespect to the input unit 34 by a fingertip of the user, a stylus or thelike is detected by the load detection unit 40. FIG. 5 schematicallyshows exemplary temporal changes of a pressing load detected by the loaddetection unit 40 when the user conducts operation inputs by pressingthe input unit 34 of the touch panel 30. In general, in the event ofconducting an operation to press (pressing input) the input unit 34 ofthe touch panel 30, the user keeps increasing the pressing force withrespect to the input unit 34 (that is, conducting an operation to pressat the input unit 34) after touching the input unit 34 until the timewhen the user can determine that the input has been received.Furthermore, the user reduces the pressing force with respect to theinput unit 34 (that is, an operation to release a finger from the inputunit 34 takes place) from the time when the user determines that theinput was received. Therefore, as shown by the curve in FIG. 4, thepressing load detected by the load detection unit 40 initially increasesupwardly as the elapse of time from left to right and decreasesdownwardly during the course.

When the user conducts a normal operation input with respect to theinput unit 34, since a pressing input is applied based on the normalpressing force, the load detection unit 40 detects, for example, thepressing load undergoing changes from A1 to A2 as shown in FIG. 5. Onthe other hand, when the user conducts an operation input with morepressing force than a normal operation input with respect to the inputunit 34, since the pressing input is intentionally applied with morepressing force than a normal pressing force, the load detection unit 40detects, for example, the pressing load undergoing changes from B1 to B2as shown in FIG. 5.

In this manner, in the present embodiment, using the load detection unit40 makes it possible to distinguish and detect a load standard (forexample, P1 in FIG. 5) presuming a normal operation input by a normalpressing force and a load standard (for example, P2) presuming anoperation input by a pressing force that is more powerful than normal.Furthermore, in case of setting a load standard as in P1 shown in FIG.5, for example, it is possible to distinguish a pressing input (A1 inFIG. 5) changing from a state of not satisfying the load standard to astate of satisfying the predefined load standard from a pressing input(A2 in FIG. 5) changing from a state of satisfying the load standard toa state of satisfying the predefined load standard. Therefore, in thepresent embodiment, by distinguishing these two inputs, separateoperations may be assigned respectively.

Next, a closing process of folders according to the present embodimentis described. The closing process of folders according to the firstembodiment is a process conducted in a state in which a folder has beenopened and is displayed on the display unit 32. In the presentembodiment, if the load detection unit 40 detects a pressing load thatsatisfies a predefined load standard with respect to the input unit 34while a folder is in an open state, the control unit 20 closes thefolder that is open.

If P1 as shown in FIG. 5 is set, for example, as a load standard toconduct normal operation inputs (operations to open a folder and thelike), P2 shown in FIG. 5 preferably set as a load standard to conductoperation inputs using a more powerful force than normal is preferablyset as a predefined load standard. That is, if the load detection unit40 detects a pressing load satisfying the load standard P2 shown in FIG.5 with respect to the input unit 34 while a folder is in an open state,the control unit 20 closes the folder that has been opened. Thereby, theuser can close the folder on the display unit 32 while conductingoperations of the folder using the touch panel 30 of the mobile phone 10by pressing an arbitrary location of the input unit 34 of the touchpanel 30 with a force slightly more powerful than normal.

For example, if a display as shown in FIG. 4(C) is displayed on thedisplay unit 32 of the touch panel 30, the user can have a display asshown in FIG. 4(B) by pressing an arbitrary location of the input unit34 with a force slightly more powerful than normal to close the folder Bthat has been opened. Furthermore, if a display as shown in FIG. 4(B) isbeing displayed on the display unit 32, the user can have a display asshown in FIG. 4(A) by pressing an arbitrary location of the input unit34 with a slightly more powerful force than a normal pressing force toclose the folder A that has been opened.

In the present embodiment a folder may be closed by a user operationthat is simple and easily differentiated from other operations withoutproviding a separate icon (object) to close the folder. Therefore,according to the mobile phone 10 in the present embodiment, the user isable to conduct reliable folder operations simply and swiftly using atouch panel.

Second Embodiment

Next, a closing process of folders according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention is described.

The second embodiment has a change in the closing process of a folderconducted by the control unit 20 in the mobile phone 10 described in thefirst embodiment. Therefore, descriptions that are the same as the firstembodiment are omitted. The closing process according to the presentembodiment is a process related to the opening operation of a folder;hence, the closing process according to the present embodiment as wellas the opening process of a folder according to the present embodimentis described.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an opening/closing process of a folderaccording to the second embodiment. The present process starts at apoint when the input unit 34 of the touch panel 30 detects a pressinginput by a finger of a user and the like. Even at the starting point ofthe present process, it is presumed that an object of the folder isdisplayed on the display unit 32. If an input is detected at the inputunit 34 by a pressing input with respect to the input unit 34corresponding to the location of the object of the folder, the controlunit 20 determines whether or not the load detection unit 40 hasdetected the pressing load changing from a state of not satisfying apredefined load standard to a state of satisfying the predefined loadstandard (Step S21). In the flow chart of FIG. 6, to simplify thestatement, “from a state of not satisfying the standard to a state ofsatisfying the predefined load standard” is simply stated as “belowstandard→above.” Furthermore, “from a state of satisfying the standardto a state of satisfying the predefined load standard” is simply statedas “above standard→below.”

If the load detection unit 40 detects the pressing load changing from astate of not satisfying a predefined load standard to a state ofsatisfying the predefined load standard in Step S21, the control unit 20opens the folder (Step S22). That is, the control unit 20 displays, onthe display unit 32, icons (object) of files and/or folders that areincluded in the hierarchy that is immediately below the folder to beopened.

After the folder is opened in Step S22, the control unit 20 determineswhether the load detection unit 40 has detected the pressing loadchanging from a state of satisfying a predefined load standard to astate of satisfying the predefined load standard (Step S23). If thepressing load changing from a state of satisfying a predefined loadstandard to a state of satisfying the predefined load standard isdetected by the load detection unit 40 in Step S23, the control unit 20closes the folder that has been opened (Step S24). That is, the controlunit 20 brings the icons of files and/or other folders included in thehierarchy that is immediately below the folder that is open back to anot displaying state on the display unit 32.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on theprocess according to the above-mentioned second embodiment. In the eventof conducting the aforementioned process, temporal changes of thepressing load with respect to the input unit 34 of the touch panel 30detected by the load detection unit 40 is shown at a lower part of FIG.7 and an exemplary drawing of the accompanying display changes of thedisplay unit 32 is shown at a higher part of FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, apredefined load standard described in the above-mentioned process isindicated as “load standard P1.”

State A as shown in FIG. 7(A) indicates how pressing force applied to apressing input increases after a user has touched the input unit 34 ofthe touch panel 30 with a fingertip or the like. In FIG. 7(A), hatchingis added to show an object of a folder corresponding to the location ofthe input unit 34 where an input is detected. In this manner, if anobject such as a folder, a file and the like is present at a location ofthe input unit 34 where the input is detected, in order to show the userthat an input corresponding to the object has been detected, a processsuch as adding a color to the object or the like is preferably carriedout by the control unit 20. An arrow attached to the folder that isshown by adding hatching in FIG. 7(A) indicates that an input by auser's fingertip and the like has been detected at the location. Such anobject indicating an input location can be set to be displayed or not tobe displayed on the display unit 32.

If a pressing load pressing the input unit 34 of the touch panel 30 bythe user changes from a state of not satisfying the load standard P1 toa state of satisfying the predefined load standard (Step S21: Yesbranch), the control unit 20 opens the folder that is being pressed asshown in FIG. 7(B) (Step S22). Thereafter, while the file is open, ifthe pressing load applied by the user pressing the input unit 34 changesfrom a state of satisfying the load standard P1 to a state of satisfyingthe predefined load standard (Step S23: Yes branch), the control unit 20closes the folder that has been opened as shown in FIG. 7(C) (Step S24).The input, of which a pressing load changes from the state of satisfyinga predefined load standard P1 to a state of satisfying the predefinedload standard at the time of closing a folder, may be located at theobject of the folder that was open or may also be located at other thanthe folder.

The user can also select or execute other folders, files or the likethat are included in the opened folder in a state shown in FIG. 7(B). Inthis case, the mobile phone 10 receives, on the input unit 34, an inputof which the input location is moved to the object of a folder or a filedesired by the user while maintaining the pressing load that satisfiesP1. After the input of which the input location is moved to the objectof another folder or a file that is included in the opened folder isdetected, the mobile phone 10 receives, at the load detection unit 40,an input with respect to the object satisfying a load standard that isset higher than P1. If an input with respect to the object satisfyingthe load standard that is higher than P1 is detected, the control unit20 selects or executes a folder or a file related to the object.

In this manner, there is no need to separately provide an icon forclosing a folder in the present embodiment. Furthermore, a folder can beopened and the folder that has been opened can be closed by the useroperation that is simple and easily differentiated from otheroperations. Therefore, according to the mobile phone 10 of the presentembodiment, the user can conduct reliable folder operations simply andpromptly using a touch panel.

Third Embodiment

Next, a closing process of folders according to the third embodiment ofthe present invention is described.

The third embodiment has a change in the closing process of a folderconducted by the control unit 20 in the mobile phone 10 described in thefirst embodiment similar to the above-described second embodiment.Therefore, descriptions that are the same as the first and secondembodiments are omitted. In addition, the closing process according tothe present embodiment is a process related to the opening operation ofa folder; hence, the closing process according to the present embodimentas well as the opening process of a folder according to the presentembodiment is described.

In the present embodiment, a first load standard and a second loadstandard are set as standards for conducting the opening or closingoperations of folders. In the present embodiment, the second loadstandard is set to be a standard that is lower than the first loadstandard.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for showing how an opening/closing process of afolder according to the third embodiment. The present process starts ata point when the input unit 34 of the touch panel 30 detects a pressinginput by a finger of a user and the like. Even at the starting point ofthe present process, it is presumed that an object of the folder isdisplayed on the display unit 32. If an input is detected at the inputunit 34 by a pressing input with respect to the input unit 34corresponding to the location of the object of the folder, the controlunit 20 determines whether or not the load detection unit 40 hasdetected the pressing load changing from a state of not satisfying theabove-mentioned first load standard to a state of satisfying thepredefined load standard (Step S31).

If the load detection unit 40 detects the pressing load changing from astate of not satisfying the first load standard to a state of satisfyingthe predefined load standard in Step S31, the control unit 20 opens thefolder (Step S32). After the folder is opened in Step S32, the controlunit 20 determines whether or not the load detection unit 40 hasdetected the pressing load changing from a state of satisfying a secondload standard that is lower than the first load standard to a state ofsatisfying the predefined load standard (Step S33).

If a pressing load changing from a state of satisfying the second loadstandard that is lower than the first load standard to a state ofsatisfying the predefined load standard is not detected in Step S33, thecontrol unit 20 returns to Step S31 and continues the process. Here, ifanother folder included in the folder that has been opened is displayedon the display unit 32, the mobile phone 10 is capable of receiving aninput that the user moves an input location to the object of the otherfolder while the pressing load with respect to the input unit 34 isbeing detected. At this time, in Step S31, if a pressing load thatchanges from a state of not satisfying the first load standard to astate of satisfying the predefined load standard is detected withrespect to the input unit 34 corresponding to the location of the objectof the other folder, the control unit 20 opens the other folder in StepS32. In the present embodiment, since such a process may be repeated,the user is able to open folders included in the hierarchy that isimmediately below the folder one after another.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on aprocess in which the opening operation of above-mentioned folders isrepeated. In FIG. 9, the first load standard described in the aboveprocess is indicated as “load standard P2.”

In FIG. 9(A), the user is pressing the upper left folder on the inputunit 34 of the touch panel 30. While the user is pressing the folder, ifthe pressing load pressing the input unit 34 changes from a state of notsatisfying a predefined load standard P2 to a state of satisfying thepredefined load standard (Step S31: Yes branch), the control unit 20opens the folder that is being pressed as shown in FIG. 9(B) (Step S32).Thereafter, if the user moves the location of the pressing input to alocation of another folder that is included in the opened folder whilepressing the input unit 34, it is assumed to be the state shown in FIG.9(B). In this state, if the pressing load by the user pressing the inputunit 34 changes from a state of not satisfying the predefined loadstandard P2 to a state of satisfying the predefined load standard (StepS31: Yes branch), the control unit 20 opens the folder that is beingpressed as shown in FIG. 9(C) (Step S32). Even after this, the user canopen the folder shown in FIG. 9(C) by conducting the same operation asshown in FIG. 9(D).

In this manner, in the present embodiment, the user can consecutivelyconduct opening operations of folders smoothly without releasing afinger from the input unit 34 of the touch panel 30. In case ofdetecting a pressing load that changes from a state of not satisfyingthe first load standard to a state of satisfying the predefined loadstandard with respect to the input unit 34 corresponding to the locationof the object of a file, not a folder, the control unit 20 preferablystarts an application to open the file.

On the other hand, if a pressing load changing from a state ofsatisfying the second load standard that is lower than the first loadstandard to a state of satisfying the predefined load standard isdetected in Step S33, the control unit 20 closes a folder that is openon the display unit 32 (Step S34). In this case, the control unit 20closes a folder in the lowest hierarchy among folders that are open onthe display unit 32. After Step S34, the control unit 20 determineswhether a pressing input on the input unit 34 has been detected or notand if detected, the process continues by returning to Step S31. If nolonger detected, the process ends. In this manner, in the presentembodiment, the user is also able to repeat the closing process of afolder without releasing their finger from the input unit 34 of thetouch panel 30. Therefore, the user is able to return to a folder in thehierarchy immediately above by closing the folder of the lowesthierarchy.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on aprocess in which the closing operation of above-mentioned folders isrepeated. In FIG. 10, the second load standard described in theabove-mentioned process is indicated as “load standard P1.”

In FIG. 10(A), three folders are displayed on the display unit 32 in anopen state. That is, FIG. 10(A) shows a state in which the content offolders from the highest level to the third hierarchy is displayed.Then, if a pressing load by the user pressing the input unit 34 of thetouch panel 30 changes from a state of satisfying the predefined loadstandard P1 to a state of satisfying the predefined load standard (StepS33: Yes branch), the control unit 20 closes the folder in the lowesthierarchy (the third in the hierarchy) as shown in FIG. 9(B) (Step S34).Thereafter, if the pressing load pressing the input unit 34 againchanges from a state of satisfying the predefined load standard P1 to astate of satisfying the predefined load standard (Step S33: Yes branch),the control unit 20 closes the folder in the lowest hierarchy (thesecond in the hierarchy) as shown in FIG. 9(C) (Step S34). Even afterthis, the user can close the folder shown in FIG. 9(C) by conducting thesame operation as shown in FIG. 9(D).

As described, in the present embodiment, the user is able toconsecutively conduct closing operations of folders smoothly withoutreleasing their finger from the input unit 34 of the touch panel 30.Also in the present embodiment, in the event of closing a folder, theinput of which a pressing load changes from a state of satisfying thesecond load standard P1 to a state of satisfying the predefined loadstandard may be conducted by the user at an arbitrary location of theinput unit 34.

In the present embodiment, since the load standard for closing a folderis set lower than the load standard for opening a folder, it is expectedto significantly reduce the risk of error that a user unintentionallycloses a folder in addition to the above-mentioned advantages in thesecond embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a closing process of folders according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present invention is described.

In the fourth embodiment, the superior-inferior relationship of thefirst load standard and the second load standard is reversed in theabove-mentioned third embodiment. Therefore, descriptions that are thesame as the third embodiment are omitted. In the present embodiment, afirst load standard and a second load standard are set as standards forconducting the opening or closing operations of folders. In the presentembodiment, the second load standard is set to be a standard that ishigher than the first load standard.

In the fourth embodiment, the opening or closing operations of foldersmay be conducted based on the flow diagram shown in FIG. 8 described inthe third embodiment. Therefore, the detail explanation of theoperations is omitted.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on aprocess in which the opening operation of folders according to thefourth embodiment is repeated. In FIG. 11, the first load standard inthe present operation is indicated as “load standard P1.” In the fourthembodiment, a user is able to consecutively conduct opening operationsof folders smoothly without releasing a finger from the input unit 34 ofthe touch panel 30 by a pressing force that is weaker than that of theopening process of folders described in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on aprocess in which the closing operation of folders according to thefourth embodiment is repeated. In FIG. 12, the second load standard inthe present operation is indicated as “load standard P2.” In the presentembodiment, a user is able to consecutively conduct closing operationsof folders smoothly without releasing a finger from the input unit 34 ofthe touch panel 30 by a pressing force that is stronger than that of theopening process of folders described in the third embodiment. In thismanner, the user can consecutively conduct operations to return to afolder in the level immediately above by closing the folder of thelowest hierarchy.

In this embodiment, since the load standard for closing a folder is sethigher than the load standard for opening a folder, it is expected tofurther reduce the risk of errors by a user in comparison to theabove-mentioned third embodiment in terms of unintentionally closing afolder. Furthermore, by setting the load standard for closing a folderhigher than the load standard for opening a folder, even if the userreleases a finger from the input unit 34 of the touch panel 30 afteropening the folder, the folder does not close. If the user wishes toclose a folder after releasing their finger from the input unit 34 ofthe touch panel 30, the user may simply apply a pressing load exceedingthe second load standard that is higher than the first load standard foropening a folder at a location where there is no object of folders.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a closing process of folders according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present invention is described.

In the fifth embodiment, the closing process is the process of anoperation to simultaneously close all the folders opened and displayedon the display unit 32 of the touch panel 30 in each of theabove-described embodiments. Therefore, descriptions that are the sameas each of the above-described embodiments are omitted.

In the present embodiment, a first load standard and a second loadstandard are set as standards for conducting the closing operations offolders at once. The first load standard in the present embodiment isset based on a pressing load of a pressing input of which a pressingforce is more powerful than normal operation inputs conducted by a userwith respect to the display unit 32. For example, the first loadstandard can be set as a load standard that is higher than any of theload standards used in each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

The second load standard in the present embodiment is set as a loadstandard that is lower than the above-mentioned first load standards.For example, the second load standard can be set as a load standard thatis lower than any of the load standards used in each of theabove-mentioned embodiments. Specifically, the second load standard canbe set as a very small load standard with a pressing load of close tozero, for example. In this case, the state where a pressing loaddetected by the load detection unit 40 is “not satisfying the secondload standard” 40 of “a state of not satisfying the second loadstandard” is regarded as a case in which the pressing load detected bythe load detection unit 40 is virtually zero.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a closing process of a folder according tothe fifth embodiment. The process starts at a time when the input unit34 of the touch panel 30 detects a pressing input by a finger of a userand the like. Even at the starting point of the present process, it ispresumed that the object of a folder is displayed on the display unit32.

When the pressing input is detected at the input unit 34 of the touchpanel 30, the control unit 20 first determines whether or not a folderthat is open is displayed on the display unit 32 (Step S51). If thefolder that is open is not displayed, the control unit 20 does not carryout the closing process of the folder according to the presentembodiment and ends the process.

When the folder that was opened is displayed in Step S51, the controlunit 20 determines whether or not the load detection unit 40 hasdetected the aforementioned pressing load that changes from a state ofsatisfying the first load standard to a state of not satisfying thesecond load standard (Step S52). If the load detection unit 40 detects apressing load that changes from a state of satisfying the first loadstandard to a state of not satisfying the second load standard in StepS52, the control unit 20 closes all the folders that have been openedand are displayed on the display unit 32 (Step S53). That is, thecontrol unit 20 brings all the icons of opened folders as well as filesand/or folders in the lower or same hierarchies of the folders back to astate of not displaying on the display unit 32.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an exemplary operation process based on theprocess according to the aforementioned fifth embodiment. In FIG. 14,the first load standard described in the above process is indicated as“load standard P4.” In addition, the second load standard is indicatedas a load standard with a nearly zero pressing load, and “a state of notsatisfying the second load standard” as a case in which the pressingload becomes virtually zero.

The state A shown in FIG. 14(A) indicates how the user increases thepressing force applied to the pressing input while their fingertip andthe like is in contact with the input unit 34 of the touch panel 30.Three folders have been opened and are displayed on the display unit 32of the touch panel 30 in FIG. 14(A).

The starting point of the state B (the time when the state A has beenshifted to the state B) shown in FIG. 14(B) indicates a state in whichthe pressing load by the user pressing the input unit 34 of the touchpanel 30 has satisfied a predefined load standard P4. At this time,there is no change on the display unit 32 of the touch panel 30 in FIG.14(B), but if a pressing load satisfying the predefined load standard P4is detected by the load detection unit 40, the control unit 20 mayinform the user by displaying the situation on the display unit 32. Forexample, changing the color of all the folders the user is trying toclose can be considered as a way of notification.

In the state B shown in FIG. 14(B), if the state changes to a state ofnot satisfying the second load standard (in a case in which the pressingload becomes virtually zero) (Step S52: Yes branch), the control unit 20closes all the folders that have been opened as shown in FIG. 14(C)(Step S53).

In this manner, in the present embodiment, by very simple useroperations that can be is simple and easily differentiated from otheroperations, it is possible to close all folders that have been opened atonce. Hence, it is no longer necessary for the user to close each folderone by one. Therefore, according to the mobile phone 10 of the presentembodiment, the user is able to conduct reliable folder operationssimply and promptly using a touch panel.

The present invention is not limited to above-described embodiments.Many changes or modifications are possible. In the above embodiment, forexample, the value of each load standard is presumed to be preliminarilyset, but the user can preferably change or adjust the value whennecessary. In this way, if the user feels uncomfortable with regard tothe pressing load setting during an operation, the user canappropriately correct the settings afterward.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an exemplary process ofinforming a user by adding colors to objects was described in order toindicate to a user that an input related to an object such as a folderand the like is being detected or in order to show closing folders.However, if an input related to an object is detected, it is alsopossible to let the user recognize it by vibrating the vibration part 50instead of adding a color to the object, or in addition to adding acolor to the object. Furthermore, in such a case, for example, it isalso possible to let the user recognize it by generating a specificsound from the voice-output unit 80 instead of by vibrations.

Moreover, in addition to what has been described in the aboveembodiments, for example, in Step S22 and in Step S24, it is alsopossible to indicate that a process with respect to the input from theuser is conducted appropriately by vibrating the vibration part 50.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to an input device of the present invention, if a pressingload to a touch-panel satisfies a predefined load standard and if it isdetected while a folder is in an open state, the folder that has beenopened is closed. Therefore, the input device of the present inventiondoes not need to provide an icon for closing the folder when a folder isopened by operating a touch panel.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 mobile phone-   20: control unit module-   30: touch panel-   32: display unit module-   34: input unit module-   40: load detection unit module-   50: vibration part-   60: storage part-   70: voice-input unit module-   80: voice-output unit module-   90: key-input unit module

1. An input device, comprising: a touch panel comprising a displayconfigured to display plural objects, the touch panel configured todetermine a position of a pressing input thereto; a load detectorconfigured to detect a pressing load with respect to pressing input tothe touch panel; a controller communicatively coupled to the touch paneland the load detector, and configured to: control the display to displaya first screen including a first object; control the display to displaya second screen associated with the first object in response todetecting a load satisfying a first predefined load standard withrespect to pressing input on the touch panel at the position of thedisplayed first object; and while displaying the second screen andmaintaining a pressing load with respect to pressing input to the touchpanel greater than a load satisfying a second predefined load standardwith respect to pressing input on the touch panel, control the displayto display a third screen in response to detecting a load satisfying thefirst predefined load standard with respect to pressing input on thetouch panel.
 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein thesecond screen displays at least a second object, and detecting the firstpredefined load standard to display the third screen is a load detectedwith pressing input at a position of the displayed second object.
 3. Thedisplay unit according to claim 1, wherein detecting a load satisfyingthe first predefined load standard is detecting a load changing from astate of being lower than the first predefined pressing load standard toa state of being higher than the first predefined load standard.
 4. Thedisplay unit according to claim 1, wherein an order of first to thirdscreens define a hierarchy with each successive screen displayingincreased detail associated with a preceding screen.
 5. The display unitaccording to claim 1, wherein said second predefined load standard is alower load value than the first predefined load standard.
 6. The displayunit according to claim 1, wherein said second predefined load standardis a higher load value than the first predefined load standard.
 7. Thedisplay unit according to claim 1, wherein detecting the load satisfyingthe first predefined load standard to display the second screen anddetecting the load satisfying the first predefined load standard todisplay the third screen is a result of detection of continuous pressinginput on the touch panel.
 8. The display unit according to claim 1,wherein the load satisfying a second predefined load standard is a loadat which a displayed screen is closed.
 9. An input device, comprising: atouch panel comprising a display configured to display plural objects,the touch panel configured to determine a position of a pressing inputthereto; a load detector configured to detect a pressing load withrespect to pressing input to the touch panel; a controllercommunicatively coupled to the touch panel and the load detector, andconfigured to: control the display to display a first screen including afirst object; control the display to display a second screen associatedwith the first object in response to detecting a load satisfying a firstpredefined load standard with respect to pressing input on the touchpanel at the position of the displayed first object; and whiledisplaying the second screen and maintaining a pressing load withrespect to pressing input to the touch panel less than a load satisfyinga second predefined load standard with respect to pressing input on thetouch panel, control the display to display a third screen in responseto detecting a load satisfying the first predefined load standard withrespect to pressing input on the touch panel.
 10. The input deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the second screen displays at least asecond object, and detecting the first predefined load standard todisplay the third screen is a load detected with pressing input at aposition of the displayed second object.
 11. The display unit accordingto claim 9, wherein detecting a load satisfying the first predefinedload standard is detecting a load changing from a state of being lowerthan the first predefined pressing load standard to a state of beinghigher than the first predefined load standard.
 12. The display unitaccording to claim 9, wherein an order of first to third screens definea hierarchy with each successive screen displaying increased detailassociated with a preceding screen.
 13. The display unit according toclaim 9, wherein said second predefined load standard is a lower loadvalue than the first predefined load standard.
 14. The display unitaccording to claim 9, wherein said second predefined load standard is ahigher load value than the first predefined load standard.
 15. Thedisplay unit according to claim 9, wherein detecting the load satisfyingthe first predefined load standard to display the second screen anddetecting the load satisfying the first predefined load standard todisplay the third screen is a result of detection of continuous pressinginput on the touch panel.
 16. The display unit according to claim 9,wherein the load satisfying a second predefined load standard is a loadat which a displayed screen is closed.
 17. An input device, comprising:a touch panel comprising a display and configured to determine aposition of a pressing input thereto, and display on the display pluralscreens in a hierarchical sequence; a load detector configured to detecta pressing load with respect to pressing input to the touch panel,wherein the hierarchical sequence is determined based on detecting aload satisfying a first predefined load standard with respect topressing input on the touch panel at the position of an object displayedon a first of the plural screens in the hierarchical sequence; acontroller communicatively coupled to the touch panel and the loaddetector and configured to: control the display of the plural screens inthe hierarchical sequence; and for each screen in the plural screens inthe hierarchical sequence other than the first screen, control thedisplay to display a screen previous in the hierarchical sequence inresponse to detecting a load satisfying a second predefined loadstandard with respect to pressing input on the touch panel, said secondpredefined load standard being different from the first predefined loadstandard.
 18. The display unit according to claim 17, wherein detectinga load satisfying the second predefined load standard is detecting aload changing from a state of being lower than the second predefinedpressing load standard to a state of being higher than the secondpredefined load standard.
 19. The display unit according to claim 17,wherein the screen previous in the hierarchical sequence is displayed inresponse to detecting a load satisfying a second predefined loadstandard with respect to pressing input on the touch panel regardless ofa determined position corresponding to the pressing input.
 20. Thedisplay unit according to claim 17, wherein said second predefined loadstandard is a lower load value than the first predefined load standard.21. The display unit according to claim 17, wherein said secondpredefined load standard is a higher load value than the firstpredefined load standard.
 22. The display unit according to claim 17,wherein in displaying plural screens in a reverse order of thehierarchical sequence, detecting the load satisfying the secondpredefined load standard for display of each previous screen is a resultof detection of continuous pressing input on the touch panel.
 23. Thedisplay unit according to claim 17 wherein with display of each screenprevious in the hierarchical sequence, the screen next after theprevious screen in the hierarchical sequence is closed.
 24. An inputdevice comprising: a touch panel comprising a display configured todisplay plural objects, the touch panel configured to determine aposition of a pressing input thereto; a load detector configured todetect a pressing load with respect to pressing input to the touchpanel; and a controller communicatively coupled to the touch panel andthe load detector, and configured to: control the display to display afirst screen including a first object while the pressing load detectedby the load detector is in a range between a first predefined loadstandard and a second predefined load standard, the first predefinedload standard being larger than zero, and the second predefined loadstandard being larger than the first predefined load standard; andcontrol the display to display a second screen associated with the firstobject in place of the first screen when the pressing load detected bythe load detector exceeds the second predefined load standard.